JENS VOIGT
Jens waxes lyrical over how dramatic and entertaining this year's Strade Bianche was
I loved every minute of this year’s Strade Bianche. It felt like we were back in the time of Eddy Merckx or Bernard Hinault. It was one of those days where it all came together: a classic course and classic spring weather, with rain and cold temperatures, a high-quality list of starters with some really big names and big teams with ambitions. It turned out to be more of an old-style gladiator fight than a modern-day bike race. It was a happy end for the most daring rider, the one who wanted it the most and not the strongest team or the smartest team. This one was all guts and passion. Already, there was a hectic start with punctures and crashes adding to the toughness of the conditions. A lot of favourites didn’t make a secret of their ambitions, but they were surprised by the aggressive race and how much movement was going on. Some had to use their teams up way too early, as was the case with Peter Sagan and Micha¯ Kwiatkowski. In the end the favourites, apart from Alejandro Valverde, didn’t have enough strength left to stay with the best riders.
And so it became the day of a strong and solid rider, not a superstar but a reliable force at any race. In a display of bravery, courage and simple and brutal strength, Tiesj Benoot outclassed and outfoxed all the big names. After chasing back to the two leading riders, Romain Bardet and the cross world champion Wout Van Aert, he more or less immediately dropped them. He had all the time in the world to play it safe on the slippery roads in Siena at the finish line and could enjoy his welldeserved first win as a pro to the fullest. I am sure we all agree we should keep an eye on him this season.
Normally we call the second-best rider simply the second and the same for the third-placed rider, right? But please, allow me to call them winners too! A pure climber like Bardet must have been somewhat out of his element at this Classic with about 60km of unpaved roads in the rain. Still, he managed not only to survive but finish on the podium. That sends a clear signal. He is ready, mentally and physically strong and that looks very promising for this year’s Tour de France. I feel it’s this year or never where we could see finally another French Tour winner. Chapeau Romain. And look at the cyclo-cross world champion Van Aert. You’d think after winning his third world title he would be happy and satisfied and maybe go on a holiday. But not Van Aert. He kept training hard and took this challenge head on. No fear, no doubt and no excuses. And after a full season racing cyclo-cross where every race is one hour long, it was quite a challenge to switch to a five-hour Classic. He was very, very impressive.
Strade Bianche was a hard man’s race won by a hard man. That’s the reason I loved it so much. There were no smart tactics, no clever saving energy or playing games. Just full-on racing. We don’t see that very often, when all battle plans fall by the wayside. I loved it from start to the end. I can’t wait for more of this.
Jens Voigt retired in 2014 following an 18-year career as one of the sport's most loved and attacking riders. He held the Hour Record for 42 days. Commentators never did agree how to pronounce his name.
Strade Bianche was a hard man's race won by a hard man. There were no smart tactics, no clever saving energy or playing games. Just full- on racing. We don't see that very often